Mario + Hulk + Red Faction = Donkey Kong Bananza

The Besties

Published: Fri Jul 25 2025

Donkey Kong Bananza isn't the game we expected Nintendo would create to launch the Switch 2. But we're so glad they made this weird, wonderful, and inverted platformer. Who needs to jump when you can smash? Plus, what other Nintendo series deserve the AAA treatment?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Besties - Episode: Mario + Hulk + Red Faction = Donkey Kong Bananza

Release Date: July 25, 2025
Hosts: Chris Plante, Russ Frushtick
Guests: Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy (Absent)
Episode Focus: Review and discussion of Donkey Kong Bonanza

1. Introduction and Voice Acting Segment (00:00 - 02:06)

The episode begins with Russ Frushtick setting up a humorous scene where Chris Plant is tasked with voicing Donkey Kong. The playful exchange showcases their camaraderie and sets a lighthearted tone for the episode.

Russ Frostchuk (00:00): Introduces Chris to voice acting for Donkey Kong.
Chris Plant (00:26 - 01:28): Attempts various deliveries of the line "banana," leading to Russ informing him he got the job.
Russ Frostchuk (01:57): Officially welcomes listeners to The Besties and introduces the episode's focus on Donkey Kong Bonanza, mentioning the absence of Griffin and Justin due to family commitments.

2. Overview of Donkey Kong Bonanza (02:41 - 04:13)

Chris Plant introduces Donkey Kong Bonanza by comparing it to Super Mario Odyssey but emphasizes the destructive capabilities of Donkey Kong in this new game.

Chris Plant (02:41): Describes the game as allowing players to break everything as Donkey Kong, aligning with Fred Durst's quote, "give me something to break."
Russ Frostchuk (03:02): Thanks Nintendo and Donkey Kong, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion.

3. Gameplay Mechanics and Level Design (04:13 - 10:19)

Exploration and Destruction Mechanics:

Chris Plant (04:37): Explains that the game rewards players for exploration and puzzle-solving by destroying parts of the environment to uncover bananas, the game's equivalent of Mario's gold stars.

Player Progression and Puzzle Integration:

Russ Frostchuk (04:56 - 06:34): Discusses the gradual increase in level complexity, moving from simple digging to more intricate puzzles that require strategic destruction.
Chris Plant (05:19): Highlights how the game uses environmental cues to guide players subtly, creating a sense of discovery and engagement.

4. Co-Op Gameplay and Character Interaction (10:19 - 19:30)

Navigational Aids and Player Guidance:

Russ Frostchuk (10:19 - 11:23): Talks about the 3D map feature, allowing players to set pins and receive direction assistance from characters like Pauline.

Player and NPC Dynamics:

Chris Plant (12:19 - 13:49): Shares a personal anecdote about playing with his child, emphasizing the game's appeal across ages. Praises the game's NPCs for their positive reactions to Donkey Kong's destructive actions, enhancing the game's upbeat vibe.

Co-Op Mode Mechanics:

Russ Frostchuk (15:25 - 19:30): Details the co-op mode where the second player controls Pauline, who can use various shouts to alter the environment. Discusses how this feature enriches the gameplay experience, especially when paired with a child-friendly play style.

5. Customization and Power Features (19:30 - 26:13)

Character Customization:

Chris Plant (19:30 - 20:10): Expresses love for the customization options, noting that different outfits provide tangible benefits like speed buffs in various environments.
Russ Frostchuk (20:19 - 20:46): Critiques the visual impact of clothing affecting gameplay, especially from a child's perspective who may dislike certain outfit choices for Donkey Kong.

Power Progression and Game Balance:

Chris Plant (20:46 - 24:12): Discusses how the game uses gold as a progression mechanic, unlocking areas and rewarding exploration. Contemplates how this system might affect speedruns and overall game flow.
Russ Frostchuk (23:23 - 24:12): Agrees, noting the abundance of gold and the satisfying urge to collect and destroy, questioning if players will find effective strategies to progress.

6. Game Design and Difficulty (24:12 - 26:13)

Overpowered Gameplay Elements:

Russ Frostchuk (24:12 - 25:01): Comments on the game's balance, mentioning that Donkey Kong feels overwhelmingly powerful early on, likening it to a cheat code that trivializes boss battles.
Chris Plant (25:01 - 26:13): Reflects on Nintendo's design philosophy, suggesting that while the game offers immense power, it also allows players to opt for more creative solutions, balancing the experience.

7. Potential Future Nintendo Titles (26:13 - 43:05)

Assessing Underrated or Neglected IPs:

Chris Plant & Russ Frostchuk (29:00 - 43:05): Engage in a speculative discussion about various Nintendo franchises that haven't received recent AAA attention, rating their chances of revival:
- F-Zero (F0):
  - Russ: 20% chance due to current focus on racing titles like Mario Kart and Kirby's Air Ride.
  - Chris: Expresses frustration over Nintendo's prioritization of Mario Kart over other racing franchises.
- Earthbound/Mother Series:
  - Russ: 3% chance, citing limited fanbase and previous unreleased titles.
  - Chris: Agrees, highlighting the challenges of reviving a cult favorite with niche appeal.
- Pokémon:
  - Russ: Suggests Pokémon games are unlikely to achieve the same polish as Donkey Kong Bonanza due to their rapid release cycle.
  - Chris: Concurs, noting that while recent titles like Pokémon Legends look decent, they don’t match the quality of discussed AAA titles.
- Yoshi:
  - Russ: 10-15% chance for a major Yoshi title, envisioning it as more of a 2D platformer rather than a big AAA release.
  - Chris: Believes Yoshi remains in a liminal space, consistently producing kid-friendly games without breaking into broader markets.
- Wario and Star Fox:
  - Russ: 2% chance for a major Wario game, anticipating more Wario Ware titles instead.
  - Chris: Doubts a significant Star Fox revival but entertains the idea of innovative future titles.
- Pilot Wings and Wave Race:
  - Russ: 1% chance for Wave Race, 10% for Pilot Wings, envisioning niche or small-scale revivals rather than major titles.

8. Listener Mail and Recommendations (43:05 - 51:11)

Audience Engagement and Game Recommendations:

James's Recommendation:
- Master Key: A one-bit graphics game reminiscent of a GBA Zelda, praised for its visual design and gameplay mechanics.
Connor's Suggestion:
- Battle Train: Described as a train-based roguelite deck-building game with track-laying mechanics and a TV game show vibe, potentially appealing to Justin’s interests.
Keaton's Mail:
- Discusses "Cujo," referencing Stephen King's character, clarifying misconceptions about the character's behavior.

Hosts' Personal Updates:

Chris Plant (47:44 - 53:27): Shares a personal visit to the Vista Theater in Los Angeles to watch Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, appreciating the seamless integration of both Kill Bill movies into one extended feature.
Russ Frostchuk (51:56 - 52:30): Talks about finishing Murderbot, praising its storytelling and balance between gore and light-heartedness.

9. Wrap-Up and Patreon Announcement (53:09 - 55:30)

Patreon Promotion:

Russ Frostchuk (53:09 - 53:24): Announces the podcast’s Patreon, highlighting exclusive content and thanking new members.
Chris Plant (53:24 - 55:30): Encourages listeners to subscribe to Patreon for access to additional episodes and content. Announces the return of Griffin and Justin in the next episode, teasing discussions on Ninja Gaiden Ragebound and other topics.

Closing Remarks:

Russ & Chris (55:16 - 55:30): Conclude the episode with the podcast’s tagline, emphasizing their friendship and shared passion for choosing the best games.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Chris Plant (05:19): "It just rewards discovery, but two, you might find that there's a puzzle where there's a tube of steel that cannot be broken by bashing."
Russ Frostchuk (07:34): "Every area in the game and these environments are quite huge, has like, I don't know, fucking 50 collectibles per area. It's like astonishing."
Chris Plant (13:49): "Everybody's so happy you're there and they're so happy you're breaking stuff."
Russ Frostchuk (23:23): "Gold is like, so not a problem. I have so much fucking gold. It is. I'm drowning in it."
Chris Plant (24:12): "This seems to be the new model of Nintendo game design of if you want to be ultra powerful and you want to just crush the game beneath you, you can."
Russ Frostchuk (42:46): "I'll just say right here I'll be direct and say 1% chance of waivers."
Chris Plant (46:19): "The lesson from this exercise is there's no way of ever knowing what Nintendo will do. It's so completely unpredictable."

Conclusion

In this episode of The Besties, Russ Frushtick and Chris Plant delve deep into Donkey Kong Bonanza, exploring its innovative gameplay mechanics, level design, and co-op features. They also engage in a broader discussion about Nintendo's existing and potential franchises, providing insightful ratings on the likelihood of future AAA titles. Listener interactions and personal anecdotes add a personalized touch, culminating in an invitation to join their Patreon for more exclusive content. This episode offers a comprehensive look at Donkey Kong Bonanza while also speculating on the future landscape of Nintendo's diverse game portfolio.